2024 Friday Foreign Film Series:  A Recap

The curtains have closed on the 2024 Friday Foreign Film Series. With a theme centered around Asian cinema, this year’s event showcased the richness and diversity of storytelling from Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Vietnam.  

Out of the four films presented, two were sold out, and the other two came very close to reaching full capacity, highlighting the audience’s enthusiasm for Asian cinema.

In addition to the screenings, thought-provoking discussions led by our moderators added depth to the cinematic experience.  A special thank you to the Moderators of each of our films: 

• Karen Sakata, Former County Superintendent of School, Contra Costa County’s Office of Education
• Vy Tuong Vo, Board member at APAPA (The Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association) 
• Lily Zhu, Founder & Executive Director of the Contra Costa Asian American Pacific Islander Coalition
• Sam Kim, Teacher and Head of the External Affairs of Hansamo

Our Presenting Sponsors, Beau & Bella Spa and Marugame Udon-San Ramon location, helped welcome movie-goers in the lobby of the Front Row Theatre with promotional materials and samples of calamansi juice.  Their presence definitely added to the ambiance.                         

To help build excitement about this year’s film series, we partnered with Dumpling Time and Marugame Udon- San Ramon location, on an Instagram “Free Ticket Thursday” giveaway.  Each Thursday in January, we were able to give one lucky winner a pair of tickets to one of the films and a restaurant gift card.  We also had a drawing after each night’s discussion where one movie-goer won a gift card.  Thank you to Teazen Tea in Dublin, Blue Sakana in Danville and Marugame Udon-San Ramon and Dumpling Time-San Ramon for donating those gift cards.

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who came out to watch one or more of the foreign films.  Your support and enthusiasm contributed to make this event successful. 

We are always looking to improve and would like you to take a minute to respond to this brief survey.  It should take no more than 5 minutes and your feedback will help us make for a better event next year! If you did not attend this year, we still value your suggestions and ideas.  Click here, to take the survey. 

Until next year, let’s keep the love for international movies alive and look forward to the 2025 Friday Foreign Film Series. 

Arigatō!     Cảm ơn!    Do1 Ze6!   Kamsahamnida!   Thank You!